Mail-bag catching and delivering apparatus.



PATENTBD MAY 24, 1904.

U. W. MURDOGK. MAIL BAG GATGHING AND DELIVERING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 18- 1903.

' N0 MODEL.

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PATENTED MAY .24, 1904.

0. W. MURDO0K. MAIL BAG GATG-HING AND DELIVERING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 16, 1903.

Q SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented May 24, 1904,

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. MURDOOK,

OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 760,470, dated May 24, 1904. Application filed September 16, 1903. Serial No. 173,471. (No model.)

To all 1 071.07, it 71m, concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES WV. MURDOOK, of Omaha, in the county of Douglas, State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bag Catching and Delivering Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus designed to facilitate the catching and delivery of mail-bags from rapidly-moving trains, the objects of the invention being to provide a simple and effective apparatus which will catch the incoming pouch and automatically eject the outgoing pouch in proper direction to be caught by a receiver located beside the track, the ejection of the outgoing pouch being controlled by the incoming pouch or a relatively lixed part associated with the support for the incoming pouch before it is taken by the catcher, whereby the outgoing pouch is always ejected at the proper instant to enter the fixed receiver and may as a consequence be ejected transversely of the line of movement of the car and into a receiver having its en trance arranged opposite or substantially opposite thereto.

Broadly, the invention consists in an ejecting mechanism with suitable power connections for operating the same controlled by or set in action by the catching mechanism when moved by the impact of the incoming pouch or by contact with a relatively stationary part located alongside the track.

Further, the invention consists in certain novel details of construction and combinations and arrangei'nents of parts, all as will be now described, and pointed out particularly in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is an elevation of a portion of the side of a car equipped with an apparatus embodying the present improvements. Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken transversely of Fig. 1. Fig.

3 is a detail sectional elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the catcher and controlling mechanism for the e ector. Fig. 4 1s an enlarged section showing one of the catcher-supporting brackets in elevation. Fig. 5is a section vertically through one of the catcher-braekets, illustrating the air passages and ports therein. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the brackets with one end of the catcher in position ready for operation to release the ejector. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a modilied arrangement of operating mechanism for the ejector.

Like letters of reference in the several figures indicate the same parts.

The letterA in the accompanying drawings indicates a portion of a-car of any of the ordinary or preferred types now commonly employed in the railway mail-service. This car, as usual, has a side door-opening, and the catching and delivering apparatus is located in proximity thereto.

In the present apparatus the two mechanisms are associated for cooperation that is to say, the ejecting or delivering mechanism is dependent for its operation upon the positioning of the catching mechanism to take an in coming pouch and the subsequent movement of the same due to the impact of an incoming pouch or to the catcher striking some previously-set part which will give it the requisite movement at the proper instant.

The catching mechanism illustrated embodies a catcher-arm B, journaled in a V- shaped base B, but held against longitudinal movement by suitable collars or shoulders Z). The V-shaped base B is in turn mounted on or formed integral with a rod or extensionbars B adapted to slide longitudinally in brackets 0, located at each side of the dooropening, the said catcher being reversible in the usual manner by turning it end for end in the supporting-brackets. Springs D are provided for taking up shock due to the impact of the incoming pouch, and in the preferred arrangement these springs areinterposed between sleeves E and the brackets U, the catcher being directly supported in the sleeves and in position to rest against one or the other of the same when in catching position.

The movement of the catcher due to impact of the pouch or to contact with some body serving the same purpose and operating to compress the spring is utilized to release the ejecting mechanism for the outgoing pouch, and as a most convenient and eflicient arrangement the said ejecting mechanism is located below the floor-level of the car. ment permits the pouch to be placed in position with facility and delivers it below the. platform-level out of the way of injury to itself or to bystanders. A suitable receptacle formed by side walls E and slotted inclined bottom E is formed below the floor of the car and access thereto is had through atrap-door E, which may be lifted by the clerk, the pouch or pouches put in position, and the door again closed. The exit of the receptacle is closed by a door F, mounted on a horizontal axis above the level of the opening and preferably having an upwardly-extending portion E, which swings inwardly and downwardly as the door swings upwardly and outwardly to aid in forcing the pouch downwardly and out. To further aid in the ejection of the pouch or pouches and to give them a positive movement transversely of the line of car movement, ejector-bars G are hung on a horizontal axis in position to swing across the receptacle, as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 2, and, if desired,

the ends of said bars may work through slotsin the inclined bottom E of the receptacle, as

shown.

The door F and the ejector-bars are both adapted to be operated simultaneously by power, which, with the apparatus shown inthe drawings with the exception of Fig. 7, is compressed air operating through a piston in a cylinder H, the piston being connected with the door through an operating-rod H and arm [0. The piston is also connected with the ejector-bars through a link H jointed to the rod H and to an arm G on the said bars or on the shaft carrying said bars.

Compressed air for the cylinder may be taken from the train-pipe system, and the movement of the piston is controlled by a valve mechanism in a pipe 1, leading from the cylinder up to the brackets 0. As shown, the pipe I is branched and is an exhaust-pipe, the ends of the branches being in or in proximity to the brackets O in position to be closedb y suitable valves, and, as shown,the sleeve E may constitute such a valve, being provided with ports 0, adapted to register with the ports of the pipes when the sleeves are moved in a direction to compress the springs. Each branch is provided with a stop-cock K, whereby the forward branch may be closed when the car is running in either direction, or both may be closed when no delivery is to take place.

The stop-cocks K are provided with handles is, preferably on the outside of the car, and slotted for the reception of a pin or projection in on the base of the catcher, whereby the valve will be opened or closedby swinging the catcher into or out of catching posi- This arrange- H tion, and thus the air is effectually cut off at all times save at the moment when delivery is to be made, and then only the proper pipe is opened.

Vhile, as has been before pointed out, the sleeves themselves may be formed with ports and serve as the controlling-valves, a suitable valve structure, such as shown, with its valve-stem E in position to be struck by the sleeve or a part moving therewith, is preferably employed, as it may be more readily renewed or repaired in case of injury or wear. Each sleeve is preferably provided with wings L, working in grooves in the brackets to prevent turning, and if a port be formed in the sleeeve it usually extends through one of the wings or projections, as shown in Fig. 5, thereby facilitating the accurate fitting of the sleeve as a valve.

To guard against the possible operation of the ejecting mechanism by a push on the catcher before it is swung up into proper position to catch a pouch, the said catcher .is provided with a projection M, extending rearwardly past the front end of the sleeve and adapted to contact with the end of the bracket or a projection M thereon and prevent longitudinal movement at all times save when the catcher is swung out. In the latter position the projection on the catcher rises above the projection on the bracket and the catcher is free to move rearwardly when sufficient pressure is applied to overcome the spring.

The end of the catcher-arm B is made in spatula shape, but with a straight forward edge N to insure its, contact with an arm or other yielding body placed alongside the track to operate the ejecting mechanism if no pouch is to be caught or as an additional means for effecting the operation in conjunc tion with the incoming pouch, although this shaped catcher-arm is useful in eflecting the disengagement of the incoming pouch from its supports in some forms of catching mechanism.

The straight edge of the arm should occupy a vertical position both when at rest down beside the car and when swung out into operative position, and in order to control its movements its inner end is provided with a head 0, adapted to. bear against the side of the forward end of the bracketor against the under side of the projection M when the catcher is swung out and against the outer side of a projection 0' when. the catcher is swung down, whereby the catcher-arm will be turned into proper position, as aforesaid. When the catcher is turned down, the head 0 may lie in front of a projection P, which will serve as-an additional means to prevent the rearward movement of the catcher except when it is turned up into catching position.

Obviously either or both means for preventi ing the longitudinal movement of the catcher catching position.

maybe employed, and hence I do not wish to be limited to any particular means save as specified in the claims.

Obviously power other than compressed air may be employed to operate the ejecting mechanism. Thus it is practicable to employ a spring or springs, which. may be put under tension by the clerk or otherwise and held by a suitable catch mechanism until released by the operation of the catcher. In Fig. 7 one such arrangement is shown, a spring Q, Working in a suitable barrel or support, taking the place of the power-cylinder. The operatingrod in this instance is connected through a lever Q, with a vertically-extending rod Q having a hook g at the upper end adapted to hook over a lever or catch R, journaled in the side of the car and having a part projecting into position to be struck by the end of the catcher-rod when the latter is moved rearwardly, as before explained. The movement of the catch by the catcher releases the hook, permitting the spring to expand and operate the ejecting mechanism. With this form of device the apparatus is set by the clerk, who draws the rod Q up and throws the catch into engagement therewith to hold the spring un der tension.

In operation the clerk places the filled pouch or pouches in the receptacle beneath the floor and at the proper moment grasps the handle of the catcher and swings the same out into If compressed air is the motive power for the ejecting mechanism, this movement will open the proper cock, leaving the other closed. The incoming pouch will cause the catcher to move toward the rear and release the ejecting mechanism, the movement necessary to effect this being about the same as the ,movement ordinarily made by the catchers now in use, and hence the clerk is not subjected to any additional jar, nor is he in any danger of being struck by any of the moving parts of the ejecting mechanism, as all such mechanism is located below the car and out of the way. No additional eli'ort is required on his part, although in case no pouch is caught he may by pressing the catcher toward the rear compress the spring and release the ejecting mechanism to discharge the outgoing pouch.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is I 1. In a mail-pouch catching and delivering apparatus, the combination with a power-operated ejecting mechanism for the outgoing pouch, of a releasing mechanism therefor and a catcher controlling said releasing mechanism; substantially as described.

2. In a mail-pouch catching and delivering apparatus, the combination with a power-operated ejecting mechanism for the outgoing pouch, of a rearwardly-movable catcher and a controlling mechanism for the ejecting mechanism operated by the catcher when moved rearwardly; substantially as described.

3. In a mail-pouch catching and delivering apparatus, the combination with a power-cu erated ejecting mechanism for the outgoing pouch, of a rearwardly-movable catcher, a spring for normally holding said catcher against rearward movement and a controlling mechanism for the ejector mechanism operated by the catcher when moved rearwardly; substantially as described.

4. In a mail-pouch catching and delivering apparatus the combination with the ejecting mechanism, and catcher, of a power mechanism for operating the ejecting mechanism and connections operated by the catcher for controlling the power mechanism; substantially as described.

5. In a mail-pouch catching and delivering apparatus the combination with the ejecting mechanism and rearwardly-movable catcher adapted to be swung out into catching position, of a power mechanism for operating the ejecting mechanism, with controlling connections therefor operated by the rearward movement of the catcher and stops for holding the catcher against rearward movement save when swung out into catching position; substantially as described.

6. In a mail-pouell-delivering apparatus, the combination of an ejecting mechanism for the outgoing pouch, a power mechanism for operating the same and a controlling mechanism i'or said power mechanism embodying a rearwardly-movable arm on the side of the car, journaled to swing out into position to contact with an object located alongside the tra'ck;' substantially as described.

7. In a mail-pouch catching and delivering apparatus, the combination with the receptacle for the outgoing pouch located beneath the floor of the car, a door for closing the exitopening of the receptacle, an ejector for ejecting the pouch when the door is opened and a power mechanism for opening the door and operating the ejector, of a catcher for the incoming pouch and controlling connections between the catcher and power mechanism; substantially as described.

TIC:

8. In a mail-pouch catching and delivering apparatus, the combination with a receptacle for the outgoing pouch formed with abottom inclined toward the exit-opening and a door for closing said opening to prevent the escape of the pouch, of an ejector for the pouch and a power mechanism for simultaneously opening the door and operating the ejector; substantially as described.

10. In a mail-pouch catching and delivering apparatus, the combination with the receptacle for the outgoing pouch located beneath the floor of the car and having a bottom inclined toward the exit-opening, and a door for closing said opening to prevent the escape of the pouch, of an ejector for the pouch and a power mechanism for simultaneously opening the door and operating the ejector; substantially as described.

11. In a mail-pouch catching and delivering apparatus, the combination with the catcher adapted to swing on a horizontal axis and move rearwardly and a spring for resisting such rearward movement, of a fixed projection and a projection on the catcher cooperating therewith to prevent rearward movement of the catcher when swung down out of operative position, and ejecting mechanism adapted to be released by the rearward movement of the catcher-arm; substantially as described.

12. In a mail-bag catching and delivering apparatus, the combination with the brackets in which the catcher is hung ofthe catcher journaled in said brackets and having a catcherarm made in spatula shape at the end and capable of a limited rotary movement and ad apted to move rearwardly and projections on one of the brackets and catcher-arm, respectively for maintaining the end of the arm in vertical position both when the arm is in catching position and when swung down against the side of the car, and, ejecting mechanism adapted to be released by the rearward movement of the catcher-arm; substantially as described.

13. In a catching and delivering apparatus for mail-pouches, the combination with the ejecting mechanism, and a piston and compressed-air cylinder for operating the same, of a catcher for the incoming pouch and a valve operated by said catcher and controlling the air for operating the piston; substantially as described.

14. In a catching and delivering apparatus for mail-pouches, the combination with the ejecting mechanism and a piston and compressed-air cylinder for operating the same, of a catcher for the incoming pouch, a bracket in which said catcher is supported, a valve for an air-pipe leading to the cylinder mounted in proximity to the bracket in position to be operated by the catcher when moved by the impact of the incoming pouch; substantially as described.

15. In a catching and delivering apparatus, for mail-pouches, the combination with the ejecting mechanism, compressed-air motor for operating the same and a controlling-pipe for said motor, of a reversible catcher and oppositely-arranged valves in said pipe with which the catcher cooperates, whereby the motor may be operated by the catcher when set in ither direction; substantially as described.

16. In a catching and delivering apparatus for mail-pouches, the combination with the ejecting mechanism, compressed-air motor for operating the same and a controlling-pipe for said motor, of a reversible catcher, oppositelyarranged valves in said pipe with which the catcher cooperates and cocks for cutting out one or both of said valves; substantially as described.

17. In a catcher for mail-pouches, the combination with the brackets, of the catcher-base journaled in said brackets and the catcher-arm formed spatula at the end and journaled in the base whereby its end may be turned into vertical position when in operative or in inoperative position; substantially as described.

CHAS. IV. MURDOCK. WVitnesses:

C. D. REED, CHAS. BAXTER. 

